Dow 15,000

By STEVE ROTHWELLAssociated Press

May 8, 2013 12:53 AM

A board on a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows the Dow Jones industrial average with an intraday number above 15,000, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The U.S. stock market joined a global rally Tuesday, and the Dow Jones industrial average continued to flirt with the 15,000 mark. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)AP

By STEVE ROTHWELLAssociated Press

May 8, 2013 12:53 AM

AT A GLANCE

TUESDAYS ARE GOLDEN
The Dow had its 17th straight Tuesday of increases. The only day of the week with a longer series of consecutive gains is Wednesday, which logged a streak of 24 in 1968.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Other global markets also rose.
Japanese stocks surged, pushing the Nikkei up 3.6 percent to 14,180.24 on its first day of trading following the Golden Week holiday.
STRONG EARNINGS
Of companies that have reported first-quarter earnings, almost 70 percent have beaten the expectations of Wall Street analysts for income, according to S&P Capital IQ data.

The Dow Jones industrial average punched through another milestone Tuesday: its first close above 15,000.

It was another chapter in the market's epic ascent in 2013. Good economic reports, higher corporate profits and support from central banks have eased investors' concerns that another economic slowdown could upend the market.

Two months ago the Dow recovered the last of its losses from the financial crisis. So far this year it's up 15 percent.

Wall Street followed world markets higher Tuesday. U.S. stocks rose after companies including satellite TV provider DirecTV and watchmaker Fossil reported higher quarterly profits. Markets rose in Japan and Europe in response to good news about central bank stimulus and the German economy.

The Dow and broader Standard & Poor's 500 index are trading at record levels, driven by optimism that the U.S. economy is continuing to recover and as the Federal Reserve maintains its stimulus program. The Dow punched through 15,000 Friday after the U.S. government reported a sharp pickup in hiring.

"We don't think people are giving enough credit to the strength of the economy," said Ryan Detrick, a senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research. "We still like the market."

AT A GLANCE

TUESDAYS ARE GOLDEN
The Dow had its 17th straight Tuesday of increases. The only day of the week with a longer series of consecutive gains is Wednesday, which logged a streak of 24 in 1968.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Other global markets also rose.
Japanese stocks surged, pushing the Nikkei up 3.6 percent to 14,180.24 on its first day of trading following the Golden Week holiday.
STRONG EARNINGS
Of companies that have reported first-quarter earnings, almost 70 percent have beaten the expectations of Wall Street analysts for income, according to S&P Capital IQ data.